Solar panels and energy efficiency, how EU4Schools and EU4Municipalities are rebuilding eco-friendly schools

“I was surprised to learn how solar panels can change our attitude towards the environment and the economy. I didn’t know that solar panels can not only justify the purchase cost, but their use is also environmentally friendly. We can have a small positive impact on combating climate change, and that is important,” says Marinela Tafa, a 17-year-old student at Charles Telford Erickson High School in Kavaja.

She is one of 23 students from the school who participated in training and workshops on renewable energy systems and energy savings. While the building was being rebuilt with the support of the EU4 Schools program, EU4Municipalities supported the installation of solar panels on the terrace of the Charles Telford Erickson agricultural vocational school, inaugurated a few weeks ago.

School principal Matilda Çanaku explains that the solar panels will reduce the school’s energy consumption by 90%. “Up until now, we spent almost 20% of our annual budget on energy. After installing the solar panels, we will spend less energy and money on energy, using the budget for other needs in the school,” she says.

“The installation of solar panels at the Kavaja Vocational School will cover about 90% of the school’s energy needs, which is about 450,000 Lek per year in monetary terms. The amount of carbon dioxide reduced by the installation of solar panels will amount to 12 tons of CO2 per year,” according to calculations by Meivis Struga of the Environmental and Territorial Management Institute (ETMI), an organization that advocates for sustainable development and the environment.

170 students and school teachers directly benefit from this energy efficiency initiative in Kavaja, creating new paths to future energy sources. The project contributes to improving municipal services by promoting the EU green agenda and fighting climate change in the Kavaja municipality.

“With these advances, we are not only mitigating the environmental impact, but also paving the way for economic growth and social well-being. Local governments play a key role in this transformation, as they control a significant share of emissions and have the power to implement effective policies. Globally, according to recent studies, local governments are responsible for up to 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions and can potentially reduce emissions by 19% through effective climate action and energy efficiency measures,” emphasizes Elton Stafa from the EU4Municipalities programme in Albania.

The Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Albania, Hubert Perr, stressed that the project was a unique opportunity to engage with students and farmers to raise awareness and develop skills in renewable energy systems, smart irrigation and water management.

“It contributes to the development and implementation of the Municipality’s Green Agenda, reducing carbon dioxide emissions, ensuring a healthier environment for the community and reducing the municipality’s energy expenditure, which is to be transformed into strategic investments and sustainable development,” he added.

While this is the only school equipped with solar panels under the EU4Municipalities programme, all 63 schools renovated under the EU4Schools programme have been designed with energy efficiency as a priority.

“This includes the use of high-performance materials to provide energy-efficient facilities. Such materials include double-glazed windows and LED lighting for both indoor and outdoor systems, as well as energy-efficient heating and cooling systems. In addition, all buildings with a high demand for hot water, such as nurseries, kindergartens and student dormitories, are equipped with solar panels to provide hot water. Some facilities are also equipped with photovoltaic (PV) panels for energy production, while most other facilities have installations ready for future PV installations,” says Sokol Mucogllava, Senior Engineer of the EU4Schools programme.

BASIC INFORMATION

EU4Schools

EU4Schools is a program funded by the European Union in response to the reconstruction process following the earthquake of 26 November 2019. The program is implemented by UNDP in cooperation with the Government of Albania. Its aim is to support Albanian citizens in eleven affected municipalities, namely: Kruja, Durrës, Kurbin, Kamza, Kavaja, Tirana, Mirdita, Lezha, Rrogozhina, Shijak, Vora in the field of education. More than 60 The program is aimed at educational institutions. It is used by over 1 million people, of whom 24 thousand are students and teachers.

EU4Municipalities

EU4Municipalities is a project funded by the European Union, which aims to support the development potential of municipalities and improve the socio-economic and environmental conditions of local communities in Albania. It supports the development of local infrastructure by providing better public services and sustainable local economic development. In addition, one of the project objectives is to support strategic processes and enable local government entities to mobilize resources to implement their plans and strategies, by prioritizing the development of local communities, improving governance and thus the quality of life of citizens. This program is implemented in cooperation with NALAS, Co-PLAN, SDC.